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METAIRIE, La. — Nick Toon is neither a rookie nor a veteran.

He’s neither experienced nor inexperienced.

And he’s also not assured of a roster spot with the New Orleans Saints, the team that drafted him in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL draft out of Wisconsin.

The 6-foot-4, 218-pound receiver was having what appeared to be a standout training camp last August when a foot injury sent him to the injured reserve list.

Now in his second minicamp, he’s not looking at roster spots as much as he’s looking for positives.

“Obviously I’m still a young guy,” said Toon, all of 24 years old. “That’s what it boils down to. … Still have a lot to learn. Obviously last year was beneficial in terms of being able to be here, be around the guys and get acclimated to this level and get acclimated to the offense.”

Yet, his maturity stood out when asked about the Saints drafting another receiver in April’s draft. For some, especially other young receivers, that could have set off a rash of negative thoughts.

For Toon, it was merely the selection of another teammate.

“Kenny is a great player,” Toon said of Kenny Stills, whom the Saints took in the fifth round this year. “He had a great collegiate career. He’s a great addition to the room and we’re happy to have him.”

Toon wasn’t too bad in college, either. The son of former Pro Bowler Al Toon finished his four years at Wisconsin with 171 catches for 2,447 yards and 18 touchdowns. He was a second-team all-Big Ten selection by the coaches in 2011, his senior season.

But that was in the past and now he’s battling for the one receiver position that’s open this year for a team that has had little turnover there since 2006. New Orleans didn’t re-sign Devery Henderson, leaving the team with a battle for the spot he held down for nearly nine seasons.


Read more: Saints WR Toon healthy, says IR season was beneficial to him | wwltv.com New Orleans

Saints WR Toon healthy, says IR season was beneficial to him.

The Dude

I hope he can step up this year. We need all the young guys we can get.

K Major

Toon, it's time to go to work!

WarEagle

It is a bad break to get put on IR your first season. Hopefully he makes the roster and can contribute this year.

billyt81

I've been optimistic about Toon from day one. His dad definetely one of the best ever. Like this post states though he's fighting for a spot at a deep position.

jeanpierre

I'm not giving this guy any slack - Adrian Arrington pulled all the chain I had left for WR hopefuls...

Convert some third and fourth downs, some touchdowns with clutch catches; block without penalty for teammates - and do it without being a prima donna and then we'll get all fired up...

QBREES9

Nick Toon is neither a rookie nor a veteran. He just off his Red Shirt year. Time to go make the money.

Crusader

I really hope Toon and Stills can develop for us. I'm a little worried about our WR corps at the moment thou.

Cruize

If Toon can stay healthy, something he never managed to do in college or last year for the Saints, he can contribute. He has the skills. He's in the perfect spot with the Saints, Payton, and Brees having only Colston and Moore locked in ahead of him on the depth chart. It's going to be a fun and interesting training camp.

Rugby Saint II

Learning the play book can't save you........but it does give you a leg up on the competition.